Agenda item

The Leader thanked Jermain Jackman, Chair of the Fair Futures Commission, for his work in developing the Fair Futures Commission recommendations. The Leader said that young people had been disproportionately affected by national austerity policies in recent years; this was an unfairness which resulted in both financial and age inequalities. Nationwide, services for young people had been cut, young people had been affected by the benefits cap, tuition fees had increased, education maintenance allowance had been scrapped, and availability of housing, jobs and opportunities had reduced. The Leader said that it was time for elected representatives to address these issues and reiterated that the Council was on the side of young people, and that it was important to ensure all young people had the same opportunities as the fortunate few. The greatest unfairness of all was that young people growing up on Islington’s estates felt that they did not have access to the same jobs and opportunities as young people from more affluent families. The Leader commended the report of the Fair Futures Commission, and said that he looked forward to working alongside the Commission in implementing its recommendations.

The Leader said he had attended many local events in recent months, and in particular noted the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day. The Leader had attended an event which included a testimony from Ernest Simon, a holocaust survivor, and said that it was very important for school children to learn of the horrific events of the holocaust. The Leader thanked the Holocaust Memorial Trust for their role in organising the event.

The Leader said that he was pleased to attend the Children’s Technology Event held at the Emirates Stadium. It was incredible to see young children learning to code computers and program apps, and it was essential for all young people to be able to access these opportunities.

The Leader noted that this evening was the Council meeting closest to the centenary of women’s suffrage, and said that this should be appropriately marked by the Council. The Leader noted that the recently opened Cat and Mouse Library was named in dedication of the struggle of the suffragettes in Holloway Prison, and the library included a section related to women’s suffrage. The Leader thanked all of those involved in the Cat and Mouse Library project, including the St George’s ward councillors. The Leader also noted the centenary of universal male suffrage, which gave millions of working-class men the right to vote.

The Leader said that there was previously opposition to new social housing at the Cat and Mouse Library site, however it was now widely recognised that the development was the right thing to do, emphasising that Islington suffered from a housing crisis, and that the Council was on the side of those who needed new council homes. The Leader said that the Holloway Prison site was the next great fight for genuinely affordable housing in London; the site was symbolic of the struggle for genuinely affordable housing for ordinary people, not luxury flats for the few.

The Leader thanked all councillors standing down at the upcoming local election for their contribution to the Council and gave special thanks to Councillor Richard Greening, the longest serving member of the Council, for his outstanding public service.